By Kamakshi Tandon

Ana Ivanovic (SRB)[7] vs. Maria Sharapova (RUS)[2]Women’s SF: Court Philippe Chatrier – 2:00 pm

Logic dicates that Ivanovic should win this match. She’s confident, coming into the tournament having won the Berlin title a few weeks ago and defeated some solid players to get this far. She’s hitting the ball with her customary power, serving well and moves more naturally on clay than Sharapova does. With Sharapova still struggling a bit on her serve, Ivanovic should also be able to tee off on her returns by and get help from a few double faults as well.

Meanwhile, Sharapova played just a handful of matches coming in, is still recovering from injuries and has traditionally produced her weakest results on this surface. She doesn’t have co-coach Michael Joyce here, and only just managed to survive a faintly controversial encounter with Patty Schnyder two rounds ago – Schnyder had match points and served for the match three times. And yet, she’s proceeded to record her best-ever showing at this event.

Both players are playing their first French Open semifinal, but this is Ivanovic’s first Slam semifinal, period. If she has a golden day like she did when winning her first Tier I in Montreal last year, she could get a fairly routine win over Sharapova. But if the match is close and becomes a test of wills, expect Sharapova to prevail.

Prediction: Sharapova

Justine Henin (BEL)[1] vs. Jelena Jankovic (SRB)[4]Women’s SF: Court Philippe Chatrier – 2nd match

The safest prediction would be – three sets. That’s what happened in every one of their five meetings so far, and Henin has won each time, usually some bizarre fashion. Their only Grand Slam meeting came at the US Open last year, when Jankovic was a few points from winning the match before letting Henin back in the contest. In Doha, Jankovic struggled with an ankle injury in the third set. In Warsaw, Henin jumped out to a 4-0 lead before the match turned into a struggle. In Berlin, Henin rallied from 4-0 down in the final set to win.

Who knows what will happen this time? It’s clear that Henin is in Jankovic’s head – after winning the title in Rome, the candid Serb said, “You know why I won here? Because Henin didn't come.”

But she’s also admitted she’s starting to enjoy playing on this surface and has been very solid at this event, taking out Venus Williams and Nicole Vaidisova. She’d dearly like to reach her first Slam final by defeating Henin, of all people, but things will be even tougher after Henin’s confidence-boosting win over Serena Williams in the quarterfinals.

Jankovic will make things tough for the two-time defending champ with her acrobatic retrieving and “burning backhand,” but she’ll probably need a little help from the other side of the net to get a win – and she’s not likely to get it from Henin.

Prediction: Henin